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2009 Nissan Cube For over 10 years now, the Nissan Cube has thrived as one of Japan's favorite little city cruisers, and while small, boxy Asian imports like the Scion xB, the Honda Element, and most recently, the Kia Soul, have scored well with US buyers, the Cube has stubbornly stayed away, content with the Japanese market. But that's about to change! The battle of the boxes is being joined by the third generation 2009 Nissan Cube. So, North American buyers finally get to see what all the hype is about. Debuted at last fall's LA Auto Show, the latest Cube is built on a shortened version of the Nissan Versa's proven B-platform. Its 99.6-inch wheelbase adds little overhang for a concise 156.7 inches in overall length. That's shorter than similar boxy rivals. Style-wise, what you have here is "hip meets geeky" in a sort of whimsical and cartoony way. With cues often attributed to its targeted young adult buyer, the Cube's face seems devoid of any real emotion. Its wide, blank headlamps and sterile grille exude ambiguity. The Cube's latest low-hunkered slacker stance is actually an evolution of past models, with more curves, asymmetrical side-to-side glass treatment, and even a tail, taking the edges off the Cube's ultra-tall cabin. The Cube finishes off its architecture with a swing-out rear door graced with a long, ovalish window. There's a lot of geometry happening here! There are four Cube trim levels: base, S, SL, and Krom. Krom adds a number of eye-catching body treatments from front to rear. The Cube's wheels measure 15 or 16 inches, in steel or aluminum.
The upright dash houses gauges and controls that are somewhat simple in operation, but very modern in presentation. A perfect example being the circular climate control interface. Unfortunately, materials did feel a little on the bargain basement side. But one of the most artistically design elements is the rippled roof-ceiling, which gives the illusion of a stone having been tossed into a glassy pond. This design is mimicked in the Cube's cup holders. The Cube's seats are nicely stuffed to offer a cushy feel, and like with other urban-box rivals, they offer excellent positioning and visibility. The driver takes command of this cubic wonder with a "just-the-right-size" steering wheel offering controls for audio and cruise. Available user-friendly technologies include such goodies as Bluetooth, a Rockford Fosgate upgraded stereo - whose speakers also mimic the rippled design effect of the roof - and a handy iPod interface. Occupant safety is delivered by six standard airbags. The well done 60/40 split-rear bench seat both slides and reclines. So, while fit for three trim travelers, there is also more than enough room for a couple of relative giants.
For power, the front-drive Cube uses the Versa's 1.8-liter I-4 with 122 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque. We found it provided plenty of spunk for everyday commuting. There's a choice of two transmissions: a 6-speed manual or CVT automatic. Government Fuel Economy ratings are 24 City/29 Highway with a manual, and 28 City/30 Highway with the CVT automatic. We beat that with 34.1 using regular gas. Appropriately for any city car, we first drove the Cube in and around the vibrant streets of Miami. Its front strut/rear torsion beam suspension yielded a comfortable ride, and was adequately responsive, but no handling star. Still the Cube does what it is suppose to do. It shines in tight, slower-moving city traffic due to two things: concise size and its small 33.4 foot turning diameter. With its light touch electrically assisted steering, the Cube is a U-turn champ. In faster traffic, the boxy shape takes its toll in wind noise and cross wind stability. Driving aids like stability and traction control, as well as ABS with Brake Assist for the disc/drum layout are standard. To put this Cube on your street will require $14,710 to start, ranging to $20,090 for the top notch Krom trim. Like the Scion xB and Kia Soul, a thick catalogue of dealer installed accessories will be available. The 2009 Nissan Cube is a cool little people mover that has been buzzing around Japan for over a decade. Now, the Cube will join the ranks of small boxy imports that are attempting to gain big favor here. To that, we say, it's squarely about time.
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Within, the Cube surprised us with a much airier and spacious feel than the exterior would indicate. The box, after all, is a most space-efficient shape. Beyond roominess, the Cube's 5-passenger interior has a nice, soft, yet minimalist feel to it. But, with a roundness that's different from the harder edged interiors of its rivals.
But, open the tail door, which swings away from the curb for safe loading, you'll find only a stingy 11.4 cubic feet for cargo with all seats in use. That's a good deal less than rivals. But fold the second seat, and the Cube redeems itself with a solid 58.1 cubic feet of space.